By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: 7pm UK time 2 March 2024

WHERE?: Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play

2024 will not go down as a classic year for Melodifestivalen but this 1st ever 5th heat is a reminder of everything the show does best.

• Read on for reasons including our predictions for who will make it through to the 9 March finalen

We have a huge range of diverse musical styles in this weekend’s show all brought together under the Melodifestivalen banner and, fingers crossed, the full songs may yet reveal themselves as winners.

1. Marcus & Martinus Unforgettable (Jimmy ‘Joker’ Thörnfeldt, Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, Marcus Gunnarsen, Martinus Gunnarsen) PREDICTION: Finalen

M&M finished 2nd with both the juries and televoters in 2023 with their song Air and we said: ‘These Norwegian twins are probably Loreen’s closest competition and while we think the Jedward comparison is a little unfair this is a song drawing on 90s dance, as Tattoo does, that is both professionally and memorably performed. Their looks might earn them younger voters’ support but their nationality might work against them. Enjoying the slow-motion dancing.’ Unforgettable may not quite be that but it does feel like a, slow-motion, step on from Air.

2. Chelsea Muco Controlla (Control) (Anderz Wrethov, Chelsea Muco, Elsa Carmona Oljelund, Fernand MP, Karl Flyckt, Pa Modou) PREDICTION: 5th

Muco won the talent competition Next Level and has collaborated with acts including Jireel and Gee Dixon. Songs performed 2nd have failed to progress in each of the previous 4 heats and while we’re enjoying this dance-fuelled slice of something different we’re struggling to see it breaking that mould.

3. Jay Smith Back To My Roots (Jay Smith, Jonas Jurström, Jonathan Keyes, Maria Jane Smith, Victor Thell) PREDICTION: run-off

Smith has stayed out of the limelight since his Idol win in 2010, releasing several solo albums and playing with rock bands including Smash Into Pieces who appeared in this year’s Heat 1. Rumoured to want to leave rock behind him and re-invent himself as a country music singer. Country is not at all our favourite music style but this is solid and will find an audience.

LISTEN TO ONE-MINUTE CLIPS OF THESE SONGS

4. Elecktra Banna Maj (Ban May)(Anderz Wrethov, Elin Wrethov, Jonny Werner, Robin Werner) PREDICTION: 6th

Elecktra finished fourth on Drag Race Sweden and we’re expecting something electric. We love a Melodifestivalen drag act but the talky delivery isn’t endearing and while there is much in Swedish to enjoy here it may well be lost on the audience unfamiliar with the tongue.

5. Annika Wickihalder Light (Annika Wickihalder, Herman Gardarfve, Linnea Gawell, Patrik Jean) PREDICTION: run-off

2021 semi-finalist from talent show Idol, co-writer Jean failed to qualify from his MF heat in 2021 with Tears Run Dry and we said of it: ‘The rematch between The Mamas and Dotter may not be happening just yet but this entry was written by the team behind last year’s winner Move. Jean is a talented singer/songwriter/producer who we think will benefit from this position in the running order.’ Always a good position for a big ballad and this is uplifting gospel that could surprise.

6. Medina Que Sera (Ali Jammali, Anderz Wrethov, Jimmy ‘Joker’ Thörnfeldt, Sami Rekik) PREDICTION: Finalen

This Swedish hip hop duo with Arabic influences previously finished 3rd in MF in 2022 with In i dimman (Into The Fog). That title and some of MF’s most successful writers onboard indicates to us that this could well go with a bang. A rousing finish that could well see this pair in with the chance of the win in a wide-open Melodifestivalen this year.

• Keep an eye on monstagigz.com during February when this site will predict how each heat will go on the Thursday after we’ve heard the songs before the Saturday events. Heat 1 preview Heat 2 preview Heat 3 preview Heat 4 preview Heat 5 preview Heat 1 predictions Heat 2 predictions Heat 3 predictions Heat 4 predictions Finalen predictions
• In March we’ll forecast how the finalen will go and how each of the 12 qualifiers would do in May in Malmö at Eurovision.
• Picture via Facebook courtesy Marcus and Martinus, Melodifestivalen and SVT
• Have you heard any of these songs or seen any of these shows? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
• Enjoyed this review? Follow monstagigz on Twitter @NeilDurham, email neildurham3@gmail.com and check us out on Instagram and Facebook